Sarah Bennett to lead new 43-school Trust as Chiltern Learning Trust and Inspiring Futures through Learning join together

Adrian Rogers to step down after 36 years in education, having grown Chiltern Learning Trust from three schools to 21

Adrian Rogers 

Chiltern Learning Trust (CLT) and Inspiring Futures through Learning (IFtL) are to merge, following formal approval from the Department for Education. Together, the new Trust will serve more than 24,000 children and young people across Bedford Borough, Central Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Luton, Milton Keynes and North Northamptonshire.

For children, families and staff, coming together means every school will be part of a wider family, sharing specialist expertise, professional development and more opportunities for children in and beyond the classroom. Both Trusts bring real strength to the partnership, with IFtL and CLT performing significantly above the national average in primary and secondary outcomes respectively.

Celebrating Adrian Rogers

After 36 years in teaching and leadership, Adrian Rogers will step down as CEO of Chiltern Learning Trust at the end of this academic year.

Adrian has led CLT since 2015. In that time, he has grown the Trust from three schools to 21, now educating around 15,000 pupils across Luton, Central Bedfordshire, Bedford Borough and Hertfordshire. Under his leadership, CLT was named Trust of the Year in a national award and became home to the Chiltern Teaching School, which supports the training and development of teachers across the region.

Those milestones tell only part of the story. Adrian has built and led a team that has helped transform schools and the communities they serve, and the Trust is deeply grateful for all he has given to its schools, colleagues, pupils and families.

Adrian has also been central to bringing the two Trusts together. He will work closely with Sarah Bennett on transition plans for the rest of the year, making sure the schools he has served so well are ready for their next chapter.

Leading the new Trust

Sarah Bennett, founder and CEO of IFtL, will lead the new Trust. Sarah is a highly experienced leader who is passionate about equity of opportunity for every child. She was headteacher of Two Mile Ash School in Milton Keynes for more than a decade, while also leading schools in challenging circumstances through rapid improvement as an executive headteacher.

In 2016 Sarah founded IFtL and has grown it into a high-performing Trust of 22 schools. She is a member of the DfE’s Regional Delivery Partnership Board and has held a number of national and regional school improvement roles over the last ten years.

Graham Pryor, Chair of Trustees of Chiltern Learning Trust, said: “It is hard to put into words what Adrian has given to Chiltern Learning Trust. When he became CEO in 2015 we were three schools. Today we are 21, named Trust of the Year in 2025, and home to a Teaching School that shapes the development of teachers across our region.

That growth was never about size for its own sake. It was about giving more children a great education and more communities a school they can be proud of. Adrian has led with integrity, warmth and an unshakeable belief in what young people can achieve, and countless pupils, families and colleagues have benefited from 36 years of his commitment to education.

He leaves the Trust in excellent health, and the foundations he has laid will help the new Trust go from strength to strength. On behalf of the whole Board, thank you, Adrian.”

Graham Pryor and Marilyn Hubbard MBE, Chairs of Trustees of CLT and IFtL, commented: “We are delighted to congratulate Sarah on her appointment as CEO of the new Trust. She is an accomplished leader with an exceptional track record, and both Boards are confident that coming together will give our schools the strength and stability to flourish for many years to come. We are grateful to everyone who took part in the consultation earlier this year.”

Sarah Bennett said “Every child deserves to learn in a great school and be part of a community that champions them. I am delighted to have the Department for Education’s support to realise that vision as one Trust. Over the coming year, we will plan carefully together to keep the best of what both organisations already do while realising the opportunity for even greater impact.

I would also like to pay a personal tribute to Adrian. His leadership has been central to shaping our plans for the merger, and the Trust he has built gives us a remarkable foundation.”

Adrian Rogers added “Leading Chiltern Learning Trust has been the privilege of my career. I want to thank our communities, staff and volunteers, who make such a profound difference in the places we serve. Bringing our two Trusts together will extend that opportunity to even more children. In Sarah, the new Trust has a leader with the values and experience to make it a success, and I look forward to seeing it continue to thrive.”

The two Trusts will work with the Department for Education to finalise the timeline and plans for the merger, which are expected to be completed during 2027. Further updates will be shared as they are confirmed.